Forever linked by the 2011 NHL Draft, the seventh and eighth overall selections have each grown into key contributors for their respective teams. Scheifele is anchoring the top line for the Jets and Couturier is doing the same for the Flyers as he’s expanded his offensive game after being known as more of a shutdown guy.

KEYS TO THE GAME

Keeping it tight (defensively)

Strong goaltending, especially in the first period of each of the past two games was an obvious factor, but in three of the past four contests they’ve managed to hold the opposition to one goal against. The exception was giving up five goals against the Vegas Golden Knights last Friday. The Flyers have been shutout five times in 18 games to start the season (and have gone 156 minutes and nine seconds since scoring their last goal), but they’ve got some firepower up front and you could say they’re overdue to find the back of the net.

Secondary scoring continues

For a good chunk of the campaign, the Jets have relied on their top line and the power play to carry the load offensively. On Tuesday, Mark Scheifele, Blake Wheeler and Kyle Connor played well but were held off the scoresheet, but the Jets still managed to score four times – including three goals from the bottom-six forwards.

Start of a hot streak?

With Jets centre Bryan Little snapping an 11-game drought on Tuesday, might he be ready to take off offensively? He’s been a streaky scorer during his career and after getting the proverbial monkey off his back, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him relax and get into a groove with linemates Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine, who had his five-game goal streak snapped on Tuesday but has a six-game point streak (five goals, seven points).

Be more disciplined

The Jets have been shorthanded 23 times during the past five games – including five times against the Coyotes on Tuesday – and need to try to cut that number down. On the flip side, since giving up three power-play goals in six opportunities against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 4, the Jets have successfully killed off 15 of the past 16 shorthanded chances.

Patrick’s potential return

After missing the past nine games with a suspected concussion, Winnipegger and former Brandon Wheat Kings captain Nolan Patrick is closing in on a return to the lineup. The second overall pick in 2017 has one goal and three points in nine games while averaging 12:29 of ice time as a rookie. You can be sure he’d love to play well in his hometown.

This Week's Flyers

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